Teresa here again, hoping you are all enjoying reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it

Teresa here again, hoping you are all enjoying reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it. You see, I have already written this entire story, though I may someday do a sequel if demand is great enough. I have a specific way that I write. I refuse to give a story a title unless it is finished. And I refuse to post a story if it is without a title, cause that kind of thing is important to me. So here I sit with a well-worn notebook in my lap, most of its pages filled with writing which you will all eventually be able to read as long as I am still able to type it out for you. (Sorry if all of that was boring, just thought you guys might care; if not, that's okay too.) Anyway, I hope that the changes in Vegeta's character are not too fast for you guys, now or in the future. I'm trying to be believable here. And keep in mind that no matter how Vegeta acts around Bulma in private, he's still acting basically the same around everyone else (this is pretty much a warning for later in the story, but might as well tell you now.) Okay, on with the story!

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A Shelter From My Storm

Part 3

The next day, Bulma yawned and stretched slightly as she began to awaken slowly. She felt so deliciously tired and warm. Grinning, she sighed in contentment. Suddenly, her outstretched hand touched something warm. She gasped in shock and tried to sit up, but something was holding her down. At that moment, Bulma realized that she was completely naked. Where was her nightgown? She started struggling in confused panic until she had wriggled her body over on its other side. Vegeta?! What was he doing in her bed? She almost screamed in panic when it finally came to her. Bulma began to relax when she recalled what they had done last night. She calmed down when she realized that she couldn't get up easily because his arm was draped over her body.

Snuggling herself closer to his warm body, she gazed up at his sleeping face. Bulma reached up with her hand and softly touched his face, an adoring smile forming on her lips. She lifted her head to see over his body so that she could check the time on her digital clock. 4:00 in the afternoon?! But?…She giggled quietly. They must have really worn each other out! Bulma sighed happily, kissing his cheek lightly as she lowered her head again. Then she snuggled her head against his muscular chest and quickly fell asleep once again.

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Later Vegeta woke up, disturbed by the nearby presence of a familiar ki. Before he even opened his eyes, Vegeta realized that Bulma was laying next to him and he immediately recalled what they had done as a smug grin spread over his face. He looked down at the weak Earth woman who was snuggled into his arms. Her soft blue green hair gleamed over the pale skin of her back. His hand stroked her delicate head softly. She inspired inexplicable emotions in him. He had been with women before, but this one was…different somehow. With every other woman, he had not worried one bit about their well-being. He had simply done as he wished with them, not thinking about them for one second.

But he had been completely different with Bulma. He had been all gentle consideration, (at least compared to how he usually was) making sure he did not cause her any pain or discomfort. And here he was, lying in her bed and hoping he hadn't exhausted her too much.

What was wrong with him? What was happening? Since when did the feelings of this human matter to him, Vegeta, the mighty Prince of the Saiyans? Ah well. He needed some more sleep. He gave her a surprisingly careful hug and a gentle kiss on the top of her head, savoring the clean, fresh scent of her hair. They could only hope this peaceful bond lasted once they were both awake.

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A couple of hours later, Vegeta climbed out of bed and pulled his clothes back on after a quick shower. He saw Bulma stirring in her bed as though she would soon awaken, so he sat down next to her small body. He twisted a stray lock of hair away from her forehead gently. She opened her eyes slowly, stretching out her arms slowly as she smiled up at his temporarily softened face. He leaned over and kissed her lips with a passion that she eagerly returned. Vegeta wrapped his arms around her bare waist possessively as she climbed into his lap, draping her arms over his shoulders and around his neck. He was beginning to kiss her jaw line and throat when she pushed him away firmly. She giggled slightly as he looked at her in confusion at the rejection.

"I'm sorry Vegeta." She told him laughingly, "I can't. I have to so some work. Besides, I'm all worn out." She kissed his mouth before climbing out of his lap to go take a shower. Vegeta's slightly soft features rearranged themselves into his familiar wicked grin.

"I thought I warned you, woman." He smirked, "After that weak Earth man, you would have to train so that you could handle me. Speaking of that fool, does this mean you are going to go sleep with him now that you actually have slept with me?" she threw her wadded up shirt at him in mock anger, trying not to smile but failing miserably.

"Very funny." Bulma continued to attempt to look serious.

"But woman, you said you'd sleep with me before you even thought-" he began, but she cut him off with a long kiss. She broke it after a while and looked up at him playfully.

"I remember what I said." She assured him calmly, "Would you like to fly me over there right now?"

"I thought you had to work." Vegeta wrapped his arms around her again.

"Yamcha, I can fit into my schedule." She told him, "He doesn't take that long. Now you, I'd have to take the day off for." Vegeta grinned smugly at this comment. He leaned forward to kiss Bulma, but she slipped away from him, smiling playfully as she slid into her bathrobe.

"No." she quickly tied the sash and wagged a finger at him, "I told you, I have to work and I need to get cleaned up first."

"I'll join you then." Vegeta's wicked grin returned as he stalked toward her.

"But Vegeta, you've already had a shower." She pointed at his wet hair, backing up and tried not to laugh, "and I don't have time to play around with you, I said I needed to get clean."

"I feel like another shower," he flashed her a predatory smile as he continued toward her, "and I only want to help you get clean." Bulma laughed as she ran to escape his advances. Vegeta chuckled evilly as he chased her into the bathroom.

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"Hello Bulma honey!" Dr. Briefs walked into the house next to Capsule Corp. with his wire. They were carrying several suitcases since they had just returned from a month-long vacation.

"We're home!" Mrs. Briefs squealed a greeting. They took their belongings to their room and began to unpack. "I'll be right back dear." Mrs. Briefs told her husband, "I need to use the bathroom."

Meanwhile, in the bathroom…

"Damn, woman!" Vegeta panicked, quickly turning off the shower. "Your parents are home!"

"Uh-oh!" Bulma hurriedly toweled herself off and swung on her bathrobe. "I'll go out and see if the coast is clear. You get dressed." She left him. "Oh, hi mom!" Bulma greeted her mother loudly so that she was sure Vegeta could hear her. "You need to go to the bathroom? Well I just finished so go ahead." Bulma crossed her fingers, hoping Vegeta could escape or hide in time.

Vegeta looked around desperately. The window was too small, so he quickly shut himself in the cramped linen closet and hoped that Mrs. Briefs wouldn't need any sheets or anything like that.

Mr. Briefs washed her hands and looked around for a towel. Two still damp towels lay on the floor. That was odd. Why did Bulma need so many towels for one shower? She dismissed the thought as she opened the closet to find a dry towel…And found herself face to face with a very mortified Vegeta.

"Oh. Hello Vegeta." Mrs. Briefs smiled at him affably.

"Uh, hello!" Vegeta answered as he tried to think up a quick explanation for why he was in the linen closet. "I was just, um, looking for my, uh, gloves." He explained quickly.

"But they aren't in here silly. They're in the living room. I saw them." Mrs. Briefs teased flirtatiously.

"Oh. Well, so they are." Vegeta replied nervously, "I'll just go get them now so I can train." He ran out of the room and flew down the stairs.

"So that's what they were doing while we were gone." Mrs. Briefs sighed happily as she dried her hands and went back to unpacking. "Honey," she addressed her husband, "Looks like Bulma and Vegeta finally got together." She informed him. He grunted, barely looking up from what he was doing.

"It's about time." He finally muttered.

***The End (Of Part 3, That Is)***